Houma native fulfills his lifelong dream to become king

Thad Scott celebrates at the Krewe of Hercules' tableau Saturday at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center.

Chris Heller/Staff

Kris JohnsonStaff Writer

Published: Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 9:06 a.m.

Each year as a little boy, his eyes filled with wonder as he gazed at the kings of the Krewe of Hercules, adorned in elaborate white and gold costumes.

This was as close to royalty Thad Scott would ever get in his hometown of Houma. At every parade, he watched and wished to one day be part of that legacy.

This year, the 37-year-old Scott gets that chance reigning as Hercules' 29th king.

“I grew up in a Mardi Gras family,” he said. “My mom is in Cleopatra, and my dad belongs to Hercules. I've been a member for 14 years, starting in 1999. I remember back then when they rode on the east side of Houma, and all of Mardi Gras was on the east side. It was always a lifelong dream of mine to become king.”

Hercules boasts a roster of more than 700 members. It is the largest Carnival krewe in Terrebonne.

Scott's love for the krewe runs deep, he said, and he has spent roughly the past year flying from Houston to New Orleans and back several times. The trips were necessary to fulfill his obligations as king, which required his presence at meetings, parties and charity functions.

“I made a commitment to the krewe, the board members, the dukes and the whole court that if there was a function affiliated with my krewe or court, I would be here,” he said. “And my office was very understanding and flexible, so it seems to have worked out well.”

However, the extensive travel is not the extent of Scott's dedication to Hercules.

Scott graduated from H.L. Bourgeois High School in 1993 and went on to earn a degree in mechanical engineering from LSU. He then moved to Houston for work with Houma-based Blackhawk Specialty Tools, an oil and gas service provider for cementing and well construction. The company eventually relocated him to the Republic of Singapore in southeast Asia.

Until three years ago when he moved back to Houston, every year for more than a decade, Scott took the 28-hour flight from Singapore to New Orleans, then drove from there to Houma to attend the Hercules parade.

In 2010, Scott was a duke for Hercules. Once he got a little taste of royalty, he started “feeling out” the board members, he said, to see how they felt about his interest in being king. He received positive reactions from everyone.

“Thad Scott is probably one of our most outstanding kings,” said S.P. LaRussa, the krewe's captain and founder. “He's been dreaming about being king of Hercules, and it's an honor. It's an honor to represent over 700 riders and to put on not only the biggest tableau and party in town but also the biggest parade. And this guy just played the role the best he could. He did one hell of a job. He and his court were outstanding, and they just did it the right way — Hercules style.”

Scott went against the grain at this year's tableau, dressing in black and gold — as opposed to the king's traditional white-and-gold garments. As an avid Harley-Davidson rider, after being introduced, a fellow biker attached his chariot to a Harley and pulled him out to meet the crowd.

“I can guarantee, no past kings or queens have ever experienced that sensation,” Scott said.

LaRussa said the way Scott was introduced at Saturday night's tableau was “awesome” and “unbelievable.”

“It was probably one of the biggest productions we've had at a tableau,” he said.

Scott said with less than a week left to begin his reign in the parade, he can't wait.

“I'm extremely looking forward to turning left on West Park in front of the mall and seeing that sea of people,” he said. “It's got me excited.”

But it's not just the pageantry and parades that Scott's proud of. He takes extreme pride in the krewe's charity work, including charity done with Council on Aging for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

“Seeing the joy on the faces of the elderly and less fortunate people we help in the area” is a worthwhile feeling, he said. It “puts a new perspective on life.”

Scott said the experience and travel has all been worth it.

“I came in with joyous, high expectations, and this experience has far exceeded any of those expectations I had,” he said.

And LaRussa said the next king has tough shoes to fill.

“For 29 years we've never had a bad Hercules king,” he said. “What happens is, when the new king comes up every year, he tries to outdo the last year's king. So whoever is king for our 30th year, he has a task. How can he outdo Thad Scott?”

<p>Each year as a little boy, his eyes filled with wonder as he gazed at the kings of the Krewe of Hercules, adorned in elaborate white and gold costumes. </p><p>This was as close to royalty Thad Scott would ever get in his hometown of Houma. At every parade, he watched and wished to one day be part of that legacy. </p><p>This year, the 37-year-old Scott gets that chance reigning as Hercules' 29th king. </p><p>“I grew up in a Mardi Gras family,” he said. “My mom is in Cleopatra, and my dad belongs to Hercules. I've been a member for 14 years, starting in 1999. I remember back then when they rode on the east side of Houma, and all of Mardi Gras was on the east side. It was always a lifelong dream of mine to become king.” </p><p>Hercules boasts a roster of more than 700 members. It is the largest Carnival krewe in Terrebonne. </p><p>Scott's love for the krewe runs deep, he said, and he has spent roughly the past year flying from Houston to New Orleans and back several times. The trips were necessary to fulfill his obligations as king, which required his presence at meetings, parties and charity functions. </p><p>“I made a commitment to the krewe, the board members, the dukes and the whole court that if there was a function affiliated with my krewe or court, I would be here,” he said. “And my office was very understanding and flexible, so it seems to have worked out well.”</p><p>However, the extensive travel is not the extent of Scott's dedication to Hercules. </p><p>Scott graduated from H.L. Bourgeois High School in 1993 and went on to earn a degree in mechanical engineering from LSU. He then moved to Houston for work with Houma-based Blackhawk Specialty Tools, an oil and gas service provider for cementing and well construction. The company eventually relocated him to the Republic of Singapore in southeast Asia. </p><p>Until three years ago when he moved back to Houston, every year for more than a decade, Scott took the 28-hour flight from Singapore to New Orleans, then drove from there to Houma to attend the Hercules parade. </p><p>In 2010, Scott was a duke for Hercules. Once he got a little taste of royalty, he started “feeling out” the board members, he said, to see how they felt about his interest in being king. He received positive reactions from everyone. </p><p>“Thad Scott is probably one of our most outstanding kings,” said S.P. LaRussa, the krewe's captain and founder. “He's been dreaming about being king of Hercules, and it's an honor. It's an honor to represent over 700 riders and to put on not only the biggest tableau and party in town but also the biggest parade. And this guy just played the role the best he could. He did one hell of a job. He and his court were outstanding, and they just did it the right way — Hercules style.”</p><p>Scott went against the grain at this year's tableau, dressing in black and gold — as opposed to the king's traditional white-and-gold garments. As an avid Harley-Davidson rider, after being introduced, a fellow biker attached his chariot to a Harley and pulled him out to meet the crowd. </p><p>“I can guarantee, no past kings or queens have ever experienced that sensation,” Scott said. </p><p>LaRussa said the way Scott was introduced at Saturday night's tableau was “awesome” and “unbelievable.” </p><p>“It was probably one of the biggest productions we've had at a tableau,” he said.</p><p>Scott said with less than a week left to begin his reign in the parade, he can't wait.</p><p>“I'm extremely looking forward to turning left on West Park in front of the mall and seeing that sea of people,” he said. “It's got me excited.”</p><p>But it's not just the pageantry and parades that Scott's proud of. He takes extreme pride in the krewe's charity work, including charity done with Council on Aging for Thanksgiving and Christmas.</p><p>“Seeing the joy on the faces of the elderly and less fortunate people we help in the area” is a worthwhile feeling, he said. It “puts a new perspective on life.” </p><p>Scott said the experience and travel has all been worth it.</p><p>“I came in with joyous, high expectations, and this experience has far exceeded any of those expectations I had,” he said. </p><p>And LaRussa said the next king has tough shoes to fill.</p><p>“For 29 years we've never had a bad Hercules king,” he said. “What happens is, when the new king comes up every year, he tries to outdo the last year's king. So whoever is king for our 30th year, he has a task. How can he outdo Thad Scott?” </p><p>Staff Writer Kris Johnson can be reached at 857-2207 or </p><p>kris.johnson@houmatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter @krisLjo.</p>